Italian architect Alessandro Tosetti from Turin has been sailing since childhood and when he does so he dedicates his attention to the search for harmony between himself, the people, the medium and the space that surrounds him, seeking that cohesion of different people who merge into one as the goal of the dream and the journey.
With his participation he would like to spread a message of peace and social beauty. The connection of the continents of travel and the integration of different cultures, the universal values of man that spring from the sea.
GSC Interview
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I was ten when I started going alone along the beach, to the Lega Navale of Albisola. Can I help? My usual question. Launch, hoist, prepare and wash, many dinghies. Do you want to come aboard with me? The answer I was waiting for.
A fly Junior that looked like a violin, built by Galetti with precious wood and a 470 white outside and greenish inside, were the first boats I conquered. In a few years, as a skipper without a license, I sailed for several owners in the Mediterranean and the ocean. The salary? The keys to the boat first, a salary later.
At the age of 22, my first piece of paper enabled me to transport passengers with boats up to 100 tons, issued in Miami by the US Coast Guard.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
That the alpinist is a great hero, only with his strength and nothing more. When I sail I am never alone, my creature accompanies me. When I smell the wind, I scan the waves, it’s always about her I think, the boat. Is she going to round that cape? Will it hold up the storm? Will it glide better on the waters? To this I dedicate my attention to the search for harmony between myself, the people, the medium and the space that surrounds me.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
At first the money, the Americans paid well for the deliveries and, if you were alone it meant more! Then the simplicity and even later the challenge. I have had few opportunities to practice it and even less to race as a crew. I have almost always shared my passion for the sea with wonderful people, seeking that cohesion of different people who come together in the single purpose of the dream and the journey.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
I was not pushed, but attracted by the greatest dream that this event finally offered me. Thank you.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
With training. A challenge of around 3000 miles in difficult conditions. It’s certainly a double challenge! I will leave alone from Imperia, to sail to Lisbon passing through the Azores next winter. Only after this experience, will I be able to say that I am ready.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
Getting permission from my daughters.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
At the right time I will know what boat to rent for the event. To train I will use my first and only boat I owned, born as a beach house, with two partners, after 15 years I have taken over the shares and I still have to finish paying them thanks to their patience.
She is called ASPRA, which in Greek means white, uncontaminated as I would like the waters she crosses to be. I built her starting from the ULDB ’65 molds of the Vallicelli studio and many friends who helped me. It is of sturdy construction and is about to complete her first 50,000 miles. Launched in 2002.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
Yes, I would like to use the visibility of the event to spread a message of peace and social beauty. The connection of the continents of travel and the integration of different cultures, the universal values of man that spring from the sea.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Parallel to my passion for the sea, I am dedicated to architecture, developing projects in the residential, cultural and urban planning sectors, and this has helped me a lot in the construction of the boat, but the aspect that fascinates me most is the design of lighting installations a natural luminescence, wireless and without electricity consumption.
Sailing Experience
Giraglia, Settimana delle Bocche, week of Antigua, club racing and never won anything, apart from the over 100 ft world championship in San Diego in 1992 as a crew.
YOU CAN DO IT
Around the world - Single-handed - Non-stop - By the three great capes - With a unique format - Budget friendly - Starts in A Coruña 2023
Text and image courtesy of global Solo Challenge